Soaring to excellence by empowering all students to learn

to the best of their ability for success now and in the future.

Display honesty, integrity and respect in all interactions.

Create and maintain a safe school and welcoming climate.

Understand and celebrate the strength of our diversity—locally, nationally, and internationally through collaborative practice and verbal discourse.

Foster 21st century global learning through critical thinking, problem solving, technological expression, and STEM.

Orient all of our efforts towards student initiative, accountability, and entrepreneurialism, which lead to high achievement and success for all students.

Administration:

Ms. Dorsey Principal

Mrs. Hiltner Assistant Principal

7th Grade L-Z

8th Grade

Mrs. Wood Assistant Principal

6th Grade

7th Grade A-K

Specialists:

Mrs. Pearre

Literacy

Mr. Adamiak

Enrichment

Mr. Shapiro

Math

Mrs. Mulcahy

Special Ed

Guidance:

Mrs. Oswald 7th Grade L-Z

8th Grade

Mr. Dwyer 6th Grade

7th Grade A-K

Mrs. Hubbard Registrar

Mr. Watts School Support

To ensure that all middle school students have attained the knowledge

and skills to be prepared for their future.

Academic Excellence

College and Career Readiness

Culturally and Developmentally Responsive

SOURCE: THE FORGOTTEN MIDDLE: ENSURING THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE ON TARGET FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER

READINESS BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL, ACT, 2008.

Middle school is a defining point

for students in the college and

career readiness process.

7 periods each day Language Arts

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Exploratory

Physical Education

Electives / Interventions

Extended Learning Time

(Enrichment, Extension and/or Intervention)

Seven 47 minute periods

30 minutes of daily Extended Learning Time (ELT)

Each class every day

Interdisciplinary Instruction

Flexibility to meet individual student needs

Time for tutoring and enrichment

Opportunities for daily interventions for students in

the areas of reading and mathematics

Time for teachers to be engaged in professional

learning

• Honors

• Merit Language Arts

• Honors • Merit

Mathematics

• Heterogeneous

Science

• Heterogeneous History of the Ancient World

• Heterogeneous Physical

Education

COMMON CORE INFORMATION This current school year we are teaching

a hybrid curriculum that combines the Maryland state curriculum with the Common Core (CC) standards.

Next year, we complete the transition, and will teach to the CC curriculum only. It will be the last year the MSA will be administered.

The year beyond, 2014-15, the PARCC assessment will be administered. Baseline data will be gathered and goals will be set for following years.

SEQUENCE OF COURSES 2013-14 Common Core 6th grade merit and honors

2014-15 CC 7th grade merit and honors (includes a

number of our current algebra 1 skills)

Accelerated track of CC 7th grade and about half of CC 8th grade

2015-16 CC 8th grade merit and honors (includes more of

our current algebra 1 skills)

Accelerated track completes rest of CC 8th grade and entire CC algebra 1 (CC algebra 1 includes a number of our current algebra 2 skills)

Mathematics

UMS provides Math Intervention classes for students who

need additional support to meet on grade level standards.

The classes include the following:

• iLearn – self-paced computer program that reteaches

math concepts from all grade levels

• Moving with Math – guided lessons that provide support

with on grade level standards

• FASTT Math – develops math fluency

• Teacher directed support of the students’ regular math

class standards

URBANA MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL DEVELOP THE READING,

WRITING AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS THEY WILL NEED TO BE

SUCCESSFUL IN THE 21ST CENTURY. THE LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING

PROGRAM AT UMS FOCUSES ON THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Reading comprehension

Language usage

Research skills

Literature

Vocabulary/word study

Fluency Writing

Literacy intervention programs are provided for students who need additional support to meet on grade level standards

Language Arts

UMS provides Literacy intervention programs for students

who need additional support to meet on grade level standards

including:

• Read Naturally- develops fluency

• Corrective Reading- focuses on decoding skills and

reinforces comprehension skills

• Read 180- (often referred to as Reading/Writing

Workshop)- provides comprehension support

Utilize CCSC:

Literacy Standards

Standards of Mathematical Practices

Infusion of STEM Standards

Ecology Club

Outdoor School

National Zoo Field Trip

UMS Science Fair

Lab Quest Probeware

Weather Station

Computer Stations in classroom

Infused in a variety of subjects and classes

In-school Activities with STEM

Trout in the Classroom

Afterschool Activities with STEM

Robots and Rockets Club

Math Counts

Science Olympiad

Year Book

• National History Day

• Geography Bee

• Walters Art Gallery

• History Bee

• Japanese Cultural ctr.

• Constitution Day

• Muslim Student

Association

Winter 2013

A Highly Able Learner is a student who: Demonstrates high ability through performance on a variety of

specific data measures

Possesses the ability to learn material at advanced rates and

levels of understanding, observed by parents and school staff

May have been previously identified through the FCPS

Elementary Magnet Program, or may be identified through the

articulation process

ENRICHED FCPS CURRICULUM IN ALL FOUR CORE CONTENT

AREAS, ACHIEVED THROUGH: Deliberate infusion and emphasis on best practices of differentiation and

strategies most appropriate to meet the unique needs of highly-able learners

Ongoing curriculum development, focused on complexity

Additional supplemental resources for teacher use

RIGOROUS PACING

DEPTH OF UNDERSTANDING

SELF-DIRECTED WORK

INTENTIONAL CREATION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR

CHALLENGE

2013-14: highly able learner cluster groups will exist in 6th & 7th grade

language arts, math, science, and social studies classes at all FCPS middle schools

2014-15: 8th grade cluster groups in the four content areas will be

added, resulting in full program implementation

AT WALKERSVILLE AND WEST FREDERICK MIDDLE SCHOOLS, WHERE A FIELD TEST MODEL HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED 8TH GRADERS WILL COMPLETE THE EXISTING PROGRAM AS 6TH & 7TH GRADERS WILL PARTICIPATED IN THE HIGHLY ABLE LEARNER PROGRAM.

CLUSTER GROUPING MODEL: Small groups (typically 3-10) of identified students clustered

together in honors level math and language arts classes and heterogeneous science and social studies classes Allows for highly able students to receive the program they need

regardless of school size, etc.

Research shows achievement increase for highly able students in this model (Gentry & Winebrenner)

Research shows achievement increase of all students in this model (Gentry & Winebrenner)

HIGHLY ABLE MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAN: Designed for students with exceptional needs, such as those

who are twice exceptional or are highly able in one area and struggling in another

SPECIAL EDUCATION AT UMS Special Education is specially designed instruction to meet

the unique needs of a child with a disability.

Services and supports provided in the classroom allow the student to access the curriculum on an equal par with their peers.

Special education includes any related services needed to complete the child's individualized program: speech/ language pathology services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, career and technology education, and instruction in physical education.

PARENT RESOURCES & INVOLVEMENT

Partners for Success Based at Rock Creek, this program serves parents and educational professionals

of all Frederick County children and youth with disabilities from ages 3 through 21

Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) The Frederick County SECAC meets monthly, September-May, to collaborate with

and provide input to the Special Education Office. Membership includes parents,

community representatives, students and FCPS staff.

*Students who are enrolled in intervention courses may not

be enrolled in an exploratory course.

Integrated Studies *Each course is 18 weeks long – switch at end of semester

Life Skills

*ELECTIVE COURSE OFFERINGS ARE BASED ON ENROLLMENT, STAFFING AND FACILITY.

Band Orchestra Chorus Music Performance Lab Theatre Arts Visual Art World Language Exploratory Technology Exposition

30 minute period of time

Time for individualized instruction

Increases instructional time for students

Enrichment, extension and intervention

Tutoring – individual and small group

Allows for staff to meet the needs of adolescent learners in a

less formal setting

Promotes positive relationship building

School-wide lessons to support positive school culture

Placement Recommendations for required courses:

6TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS:

Honors Common Core (6011)

Merit Common Core (6012)

Placement Recommendations for required courses:

6th GRADE MATH:

Honors Common Core (6331C)

Merit Common Core (6332C)

Please check one:

I AGREE with the Language Arts and Mathematics recommendations.

I DISAGREE with the Language Arts and Mathematics recommendations.

*If you disagree with the placement recommendations, you must attach a letter of rationale

that provides additional information to be considered by school staff.

Students will also be enrolled in the following courses:

History of the Ancient World (6107)

Science (6207)

Life Skills – 18 weeks (6921)

Integrated Studies – 18 weeks (6941)

Physical Education (6801)

6th GRADE ELECTIVE CLASSES: Your child must take one (1) year-long elective. Elective course offerings are determined by

staffing, enrollment and/or school facilities. Because schedule changes may not be possible,

electives must be chosen carefully. Students are not guaranteed enrollment in the elective of

their choice. Please indicate first preference (1), second preference (2), third preference (3), and

fourth preference (4) by writing the number next to the elective course title. Course descriptions

are provided in the Middle School Course guide at www.fcps.org.

____ BAND (6503)

Instrument:__________________________

Years experience: _______

____ ORCHESTRA (6504)

Instrument:__________________________

Years experience: ______

____ CHORUS (6505)

____ MUSIC PERFORMANCE LAB (6508)

____ THEATRE ARTS (6520)

____ VISUAL ART (6530)

____ World Language Exploratory (6650)

____ Technology Exposition (6971)

Additional Information: (Please initial each statement.)

____ This form must be completed, signed and returned to your child’s 5th grade teacher by March 1st.

____ If your child is recommended for placement in an intervention course, the course may replace an

exploratory or elective. The school will contact you regarding intervention recommendations.

____ School staff will select electives for all students who do not return their form by the due date.

____ Questions regarding this form and the scheduling process can be answered by your child’s school

counselor.

____ Please confirm that all personal information on this form is correct. Please make any necessary

corrections on this form.

NOTE: If your address has changed, please include the correct address on this form and attach a copy

of a recent electric bill. This will ensure that all school records are updated and corrected.

Parent/Guardian Signature Phone Email Address

SOURCE: THE FORGOTTEN MIDDLE: ENSURING THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE ON TARGET FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER

READINESS BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL, ACT, 2008.

The level of academic achievement that students attain by eighth grade has a

larger impact on their college and career readiness than anything that

happens academically in high school.

Lockers

Combination locks

Planners

Friends

Lunch/recess

Bullying/Conflict resolution

Class transitions